7 symptoms men shouldn’t ignore

An annoyance or a sign of something serious? Experts say these symptoms should warrant a trip to the doctor.

Some
people will do anything to avoid it seeing their doctors — including
dismissing seemingly minor health complaints. We all know symptoms like
shortness of breath or chest pain require immediate medical attention,
but sometimes the symptoms we overlook can signal something serious too.

Here are seven symptoms men shouldn’t ignore, according to experts.

Erectile dysfunction

We know it’s embarrassing to talk about — despite quirky commercials
about little blue pills. ED (also known as impotence) affects many men
as they get older. Not only can it impact a man’s self-image and sex
life, this condition can warn of other diseases that have subtle
symptoms.

For example, ED — a pattern of not being able to get or keep an
erection — can be caused by health issues that affect the nerves, brain
and blood vessels. It could be a symptom of diabetes or pre-diabetes, or
be caused by a hardening of the arteries (a condition known as
atherosclerosis, which can lead to heart to disease). High blood
pressure, kidney failure, stress, smoking and alcohol abuse can all be
culprits.

The symptoms of ED can be treated, but experts warn men to talk to their doctor to make sure the cause gets some attention too.

Changes in the penis, testicles or scrotum

It’s advice men as well as women should heed: know your body. Any
changes “down there” like lumps, swelling, a feeling of heaviness or a
change in size of the testicles could be a warning sign of testicular
cancer. Likewise, a lump on the penis, sores, discharge or bleeding
could warn of penile cancer.

Sores, a rash, redness, itching and oozing could be symptoms of
sexually transmitted illnesses. Though usually not serious, men should
have these symptoms checked out before the conditions get worse and they
pass it along to their partners.

Urinary problems

Experts say most men experience some changes to their bathroom habits
as they age, but it’s time to see a doctor when things become
uncomfortable or interfere with daily activities. Problems with the
prostate can cause symptoms like:

- a frequent need to urinate, especially at night

- a weak or interrupted urine stream

- an inability to urinate

- difficulty starting or stopping a urine stream.

These symptoms don’t automatically mean prostate cancer — they could
also be a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Some
of these symptoms can also be caused by medications, infections or
inflammation — but that’s up to a doctor to determine.

Blood where there shouldn’t be blood

The presence of blood is seldom a good sign — especially when it
comes to bodily functions. For example, blood in urine — when the urine
has a pink or brown tint — could be caused by a urinary tract infection,
inflammation in the urinary tract, kidney stone, an enlarged prostate
or cancers of the prostate, bladder or kidney. Experts estimate that
roughly one in ten men will experience blood in their urine — or
hematuria, in medical terms — during his lifetime. Sometimes no cause is
ever found, and sometimes the discolouration could be due to
medications like blood thinners.

What about blood in the stool? Bright red blood is most commonly
caused by annoying conditions like hemorrhoids and diverticulitis, but
experts warn that dark red, maroon, black or tarry stools mean the blood
has been in your gut for a while — and could be a sign of ulcers or
colon cancer.

Coughing up blood can be caused by conditions from blood clots to
infections (including tuberculosis and pneumonia.) When in doubt, any
sign of blood shouldn’t be ignored.

Pain

Think aches and pains are just a part of getting older? Not so, say
doctors. Persistent pain can be a warning sign of many conditions
including arthritis, a damaged nerve, kidney disease, gallbladder
disease and even cancer. Pain during intercourse could also be a sign of
prostate cancer, say experts.

Acute pain — like a red, swollen and painful joint — also deserves a
check-up. It could be caused by an injury, or a chronic condition like
gout or bursitis (both of which are more common in men than women).
Infections can also attack joints and cause permanent damage or spread
if left untreated.

In short, any pain should warrant a trip to the doctor. Chances are
the cause isn’t serious, but a doctor can suggest treatment options that
tackle the pain and treat the underlying cause.

Persistent thirst

We’re often told to drink plenty of water, but constantly being
thirsty isn’t so healthy. Of course, hours of exercise, a salty or spicy
meal or medications can cause the problem, but excessive thirst could
be an early sign of pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes — conditions that
may not have any other symptoms.

Another cause: fluid could be leaving the blood stream and building
up in tissues, leaving the body wanting more. This swelling (or edema)
can be the result of heart, liver, or kidney failure or a severe
infection or burn. Dry mouth can also be associated with thirst, and can
have many causes from medication side effects to autoimmune disorders.

Regardless, experts warn that unusual thirst should be checked out,
especially when other symptoms like dizziness, headache, fatigue, nausea
and changes in urinary habits go with it.

Depression

Depression is more common among women than men, so why is it on this
list? Some experts warn men are less likely than women to get help due
to societal pressures, and they might even experience symptoms
differently. They might become aggressive, bury themselves in work or
turn to drug or alcohol abuse to cope with their feelings.
Unfortunately, men are also three times more likely than women to kill
themselves. Suicide is one of the top causes of death in men in Canada,
according to Statistics Canada.

It may sound stereotypical, but experts warn that depression may be
harder to spot in men because of the stigma against showing weakness,
crying or expressing emotion. Symptoms of depression in both sexes can
include prolonged feelings of sadness, guilt or grief, loss of interest
in activities, social withdrawal, thoughts of suicide, fatigue, changes
in appetite and loss of interest in sex.

This list is just a few of the symptoms worth paying attention — and
we know the causes can sound intimidating. However, experts say most of
the time these symptoms have benign and treatable causes. The message is
to be aware, but not to panic. Your doctor will likely want to review
your symptoms and medical history, do an exam and run some tests. The
key is to get a diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible — and some
conditions simply shouldn’t have to wait.